Abstract: The present invention is a device that allows electrical stimulation to an anatomical site that is covered by a cast. The electrode is applied to achieve a desired physiological response (e.g., bone growth), treatment of pain, or the prevention of muscle atrophy.

Abstract: The human body is decorated with highly detailed, multicolored, personalized designs using Wirejet™ or electronically controlled ink ejection or similar printing technology. The designs are applied to the epidermal and upper dermal skin layers and last for at least several weeks. The decoration is produced by a print head comprising Wirejet™ nozzles, which spray biocompatible inks or dyes onto the skin. The Wirejet™ may be connected to a scanning mechanism to scan in one, two, or three directions. The decorations can be applied to contoured skin surfaces following flattening against a screen of intersecting wires, by robotic arm, or using z-axis technology. A computer stores the desired design and controls the firing of the Wirejet™ to produce the desired decoration or tattoo.

Abstract: Biocompatible materials are propelled at the skin with sufficient velocity to cause desired resurfacing of skin layers to the desired penetration depth. The materials, such as dry ice or water ice, are harmonious with the human body and thus eliminate foreign body reactions. Various materials may be used in combination, including local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors in solid or liquid form. The biocompatible solid or liquid particles are suspended in a cold carrier fluid and propelled through an insulated delivery system to the surface of the skin. The treatment of diseased skin lesions may be accomplished using the present invention as a drug delivery system.

Abstract: A device is described that can be used by surgeons to provide quick and accurate face-lifting maneuvers that minimize the amount of tissue that has to be removed. The device is comprised of a shaft with a relatively planar but possibly lenticulate and even slightly curved tip that can divide and energize various tissue planes causing contraction especially via the fibrous tissues. Various forms of energy can be delivered down the shaft to heat and cause desirable tissue contraction. The device can also include a temperature sensor that can be used to control power output.

Abstract: Positive or negative biofeedback is provided by an apparatus using jets of fluid, such as a compressed gas, directed at a targeted area of a body to produce a positive or negative tactile sensation. A stimulus unit is connected to a fluid supply and is positioned on the body, such as the abdomen or back. A sensor unit connected to the stimulus unit is activated, such as by relaxed muscle position or other behavior, which then activates the stimulus unit to open release valves and deliver bursts of small jets of gas to the body. The sensor unit may be remote from the stimulus unit, whereby signals are sent remotely through a control unit to the stimulus unit to activate the release valves.

Abstract: Inkjet printing technology is used to apply selected designs on fingernails or toenails. The nail-printing device applies highly detailed, customized, multicolored designs that are scaled to precisely fit within the boundary of each individual nail. The device comprises an ink jet print head, a holder for aligning the digits or nails, a camera to image the nails, a computer to acquire, store and analyze the image, and a control system that directs the ink jet print head to apply the scaled design to the nails.

Abstract: A device is described that uniformly cools a surface to a specified temperature using a mist of cryogenic fluid. The device comprises a cryogenic fluid reservoir, a valve for controllably releasing the fluid through an atomizing nozzle, a non-contact temperature sensor, and a control unit to display the measured temperature and optionally pre-set the desired surface temperature and control the valve. The application of mist can be controlled manually or electronically. This invention provides a portable tool for safely cooling skin for dermatological applications.

Abstract: A hand-held, fiber optic based dental device with optical coherence domain reflectometry (OCDR) sensing capabilities provides a profile of optical scattering as a function of depth in the tissue at the point where the tip of the dental explorer touches the tissue. This system provides information on the internal structure of the dental tissue, which is then used to detect caries and periodontal disease. A series of profiles of optical scattering or tissue microstructure are generated by moving the explorer across the tooth or other tissue. The profiles are combined to form a cross-sectional, or optical coherence tomography (OCT), image.

Abstract: A guidewire with optical sensing capabilities is based on a multiplexed optical coherence domain reflectometer (OCDR), which allows it to sense location, thickness, and structure of the arterial walls or other intra-cavity regions as it travels through the body during minimally invasive medical procedures. This information will be used both to direct the guidewire through the body by detecting vascular junctions and to evaluate the nearby tissue. The guidewire contains multiple optical fibers which couple light from the proximal to distal end. Light from the fibers at the distal end of the guidewire is directed onto interior cavity walls via small diameter optics such as gradient index lenses and mirrored corner cubes. Both forward viewing and side viewing fibers can be included. The light reflected or scattered from the cavity walls is then collected by the fibers, which are multiplexed at the proximal end to the sample arm of an optical low coherence reflectometer.

Abstract: A method and composition for topically treating non-metastasizing skin eruptions of warts with tazarotene in a suitable pharmaceutical composition. The compositions can include corticosteroids or fluorouracil.

Abstract: Inkjet printing technology is used to apply a selected design on a fingernail or toenail. The nail printing device applies highly detailed, customized, multicolored designs that are scaled to the size and shape of the individual nail. The device comprises an ink jet print head; a holder for aligning the digit or nail, and a control system that contains the nail designs in an electronic digital form, scales and corrects the designs to the individual nail size and shape, and directs the ink jet print head to apply the scaled design to the nail.

Abstract: A compact laser system that removes surface coatings (such as paint, dirt, etc.) at a removal rate as high as 1000 ft.sup.2 /hr or more without damaging the surface. A high repetition rate laser with multiple amplification passes propagating through at least one optical amplifier is used, along with a delivery system consisting of a telescoping and articulating tube which also contains an evacuation system for simultaneously sweeping up the debris produced in the process. The amplified beam can be converted to an output beam by passively switching the polarization of at least one amplified beam. The system also has a personal safety system which protects against accidental exposures.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for decorating or coloring fingernails or toenails. According to the method, a subject's fingernail is scanned to obtain an image and the image is transferred to a computer. The computer then maps out the fingernail surface and scales a selected image or design to fit on the fingernail. This information is then used by the computer to activate an inkjet assembly to print out the stored image on the fingernail surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the orientation of a device with respect to an x-ray source. In one embodiment, the present invention is coupled to a medical device in order to determine the rotational orientation of the medical device with respect to the x-ray source. In such an embodiment, the present invention is comprised of a scintillator portion which is adapted to emit photons upon the absorption of x-rays emitted from the x-ray source. An x-ray blocking portion is coupled to the scintillator portion. The x-ray blocking portion is disposed so as to vary the quantity of x-rays which penetrate the scintillator portion based upon the particular rotational orientation of the medical device with respect to the x-ray source. A photon transport mechanism is also coupled to the scintillator portion. The photon transport mechanism is adapted to pass the photons emitted from the scintillator portion to an electronics portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for fast, efficient, precise and damage-free biological tissue removal using an ultrashort pulse duration laser system operating at high pulse repetition rates. The duration of each laser pulse is on the order of about 1 fs to less than 50 ps such that energy deposition is localized in a small depth and occurs before significant hydrodynamic motion and thermal conduction, leading to collateral damage, can take place. The depth of material removed per pulse is on the order of about 1 micrometer, and the minimal thermal and mechanical effects associated with this ablation method allows for high repetition rate operation, in the region 10 to over 1000 Hertz, which, in turn, achieves high material removal rates. The input laser energy per ablated volume of tissue is small, and the energy density required to ablate material decreases with decreasing pulse width.